Comments on: How to build a career as an artist

By: Barry

Barry — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:25:29 +0000

I think you're trying to spell 'Sibelius' but he was a much later, Finnish composer.

The character you're referring to in 'Amadeus' is Anton Salieri.

By: Matt Green

Matt Green — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:41:21 +0000

I worked with a lot of artists and bands mates who hated me saying that and never understood that they were in business, not in the arts !

By: Devon Hopkins » Why You Should Manage Your Online Reputation

Devon Hopkins » Why You Should Manage Your Online Reputation — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:23:14 +0000

[...] is becoming more and more important, whether you like it or not. Penelope Trunk writes that you do not have to quit your day job to pursue a career in art. To help maintain or obtain that day job, let’s look at some of the things you can do right now [...]

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:10:47 +0000

Good comment, hedge.

By: mr luggage

mr luggage — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:26:29 +0000

making as an artist is so very dificult, but its the glamour of the whole profession that atracts alot of people

By: hedge

hedge — Sat, 09 May 2009 21:56:59 +0000

Build career as an artist?

I must loved it first then i will do my best to make my dream comes true

By: doronjo

doronjo — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:56:29 +0000

Very interesting post. I decided to learn to be a graphic designer instead of pursuing being an artist, because I was afraid of what you went through. It's easier to make money as a designer instead of make a sales of your art. I make enough money to support my self, and design is a creative career even though I have to bend my creative thought with clients' needs.

I've been painting here and there, wanting to do some more with it. I am getting sick of my day job, and seeking the way to create art freely. I have to keep working on my day job, so it may take a while to build my art portfolio. Yet, I realized that it is making me way more happier to pursue my passion.

By: Isia

Isia — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:11:59 +0000

THis was rather interesting. FIrst of for the writer, Whoever you really are, it's appreciated enough that you can create a bog that I can find answers to my problems. You are useful to all of us. After all you create responses so you are worthy.
And for the topic of art, Some of us just have to be artists. Its NEVER good to discourage any one's dreams. Life is short, if i prefer to struggle,go hungry, die trying over something I love..It's still my preference. WHY? I am not crazy. I will do anything for what I love.
Its always better to talk about experiences, rather than telling others what to do. WHen be can bring our experiences together, we can find answers.
Since I was small, I was trying my hands at art, designing clothing for my barbie doll and singing for hours in the bedroom,getting addicted to cameras and pianos…..then sometimes hardship comes where I have to spend my time as a student studying hard or I wont pass that exam, and I missed my art so badly..Up to this day I am still studying something not related to art..International relations, and because art is important to me,, it stayed with me throught all the times when I am stressed out doing what I dont Love doing. Now i can see my life running out,,and I wished for a studio where I can paint, or a stage where I can air my concerts, bUt I never got to develop them because I am still spendin my time doing what I dont love,,and I am feeling regrets about this. I never had the money to study what i love, I got grants and scholarships to study academic subjects that contributed towards my country. If i only had the money I would have put y every second into art, all of it, and become someone recognized. And maybe there are wanna be's out there but a true artist knows that he is bu the way he feels, and anyone can know how much money they can make by evaluation their potential. Its the artist decision and no one should discourage anyone or any artist to not do what they love.

By: Gifts Occasions

Gifts Occasions — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:26:32 +0000

Well, but an artist too has to live from something. I am doing oil paintings since years and have to admit, most of my income results from direct painting orders on a specified theme. But was that not the income source of most famous painters in the past too?

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:53:43 +0000

Pardon me, but you're calling these posts art? Get real. Writing well is a skill, not an art. Atwood is an artist with words, Jasper Fforde is an artist with words, Stephen King is an artist with words. You, Penelope, are not an artist with words. A a skilled and persuasive writer, sure; artist, no.

Just because you have a successful blog doesn't mean you're an artist. It means you are a skilled writer who knows how to get readers. Grisham is a bestselling author, but his connect-the-dots-plotted books aren't art.

Volume of readers does not convert skill into art. I write kick ass technical documentation, and people in several countries read and use my documentation. That doesn't make me an artist. The novel I'm working on, maybe that will earn me the label of artist, but I'm not quite there yet.

And regarding art being dictated by your surroundings: really now? In that thought you completely discount creativity. Did Tolkien write about what he knew about firsthand? I've been to England and haven't met any Orcs. Dr. Seuss? Stephen King? Carl Sagan? Just because you didn't have the vision to write anything other than lonely stories when you were lonely doesn't mean that other creative types suffer the same lack of vision and creativity. In fact, I've always found that the 99% of people who only write from personal experience are not, in fact, creative writers, but misguided autobiographers, at best.